Western Michigan

Western Michigan enters 2026 needing to reconstruct a defensive front that carried them to nine wins last season but lost critical edge pressure contributors. The Broncos' defensive foundation remains solid at 54th nationally (+0.8), but significant front-seven attrition creates structural uncertainty around their core identity. Offensively, quarterback Broc Lowry returns as starter but inherits a unit that lost key target-share contributors and running backs Devin Miles and Tre' Hartwell to the portal, while adding Arkansas transfer AJ Green and New Mexico State tight end Adam Parks to help fill gaps in a group that grades out 119th nationally.

JP+ projects 6.4 wins for the Broncos, a step back from their 2025 breakthrough that reflects the continuity challenges on both sides of the ball. The defense's ability to generate consistent pressure without its departed edge contributors will determine whether Western Michigan can compete with tough road tests at Michigan and Toledo, while the offense's target-share replacement quality around Lowry becomes crucial for sustaining drives. If the defensive front finds adequate replacements and the receiving corps develops reliable options, the Broncos can challenge for bowl eligibility again. If not, they risk falling toward the MAC's middle tier as they navigate this defensive reset.